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Overview

Explores the origins, definitions, and treatments of trauma, and its impact on the body, on relationships, and on spirituality. Studies congregational and community care relating to trauma

This course familiarises students with origins, definitions, and treatment of trauma from multiple disciplines. Trauma’s impact on the body, soul, relationships, and spirituality will be highlighted, along with congregational and community care. The course explores individual mental health concerns in the contexts of family of origin, intergenerational trauma born by repeated oppression and injustice, and community-wide traumas. Students will learn key principles of trauma-informed pastoral care in multi-ethnic contexts and discuss and develop their own ethical standards for trauma care. 

About this paper

Paper title Special Topic: Trauma-Informed Ministry
Subject Pastoral Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
One 200-level PAST paper
Restriction
MINS 405
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Theology
Eligibility

Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.

Contact

paul.trebilco@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Karen McClintock

Paper Structure

Module 1: What is Trauma?

Module 2: Offering Trauma-Informed Care – Principles and Prejudices

Module 3: Building Confidence and Competence

Module 4 Theological questions as “quests” 

Module 5 Healing Modalities 

Teaching Arrangements

This Distance Learning paper is taught through a five-day residential block course in Dunedin. Students are required to attend this block course. The block course will start at 1pm on Monday 27 January and conclude at 1pm on Friday 31 January 2025. Classes will be held on the University of Otago Campus, Dunedin.

Textbooks

McClintock, Karen A. Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care: How to Respond When Things Fall Apart. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2022.

Course outline

View the latest course outline here.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students taking this paper at the 300 level will have:

  • Learned ethical principles and standards of practice within trauma-informed care 
  • Learned the signs and symptoms of trauma and secondary trauma
  • Recognised the specific needs of diverse constituents with multiple-traumatic losses
  • Examined both individual and systemic oppression as a cause of stress and trauma
  • Reviewed commonly made mistakes in trauma care and learned to avoid them
  • Become familiar with trauma indicators in congregational systems
  • Learned how to make space for spiritual questions and ways to support “quests”
Assessment details

A 2,000 word essay, A 2-4 page assignment and a 2,500 word essay.

Overview

Explores the origins, definitions, and treatments of trauma, and its impact on the body, on relationships, and on spirituality. Studies congregational and community care relating to trauma

This course familiarises students with the origins, definitions and treatment of trauma from multiple disciplines. Trauma's impact on the body, soul, relationships and spirituality will be highlighted, along with congregational and community care. The course explores individual mental health concerns in the contexts of family of origin, intergenerational trauma born by repeated oppression and injustice, and community-wide traumas. Students will learn key principles of trauma-informed pastoral care in multi-ethnic contexts and discuss and develop their own ethical standards for trauma care.

About this paper

Paper title Special Topic: Trauma-Informed Ministry
Subject Pastoral Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period 1st Non standard period (1 February 2027 - 23 June 2027) (Distance learning)
Delivery mode The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
One 200-level PAST paper
Restriction
MINS 405
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Theology
Eligibility

Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an enquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.

Contact

Professor Paul Trebilco

Teaching staff

Professor Ellen Davis

Paper Structure

Module 1: What is Trauma?

Module 2: Offering Trauma-Informed Care-Principles and Prejudices

Module 3: Building Confidence and Competence

Module 4: Theological questions as "quests"

Module 5: Healing Modalities

Teaching Arrangements

This distance learning paper is taught through a five-day residential block course at the University of Otago, in Dunedin from 1-5 February 2027. Students are required to attend this block course.

All teaching will be done during this week and students will be given dates in the following semester in which to complete their assessments.

Textbooks

McClintock, K. A. (2022). Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care: How to Respond When Things Fall Apart. Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Course outline

View the latest course outline here.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students taking this paper at the 300 level will have:

  • Learned ethical principles and standards of practice within trauma-informed care.
  • Learned the signs and symptoms of trauma and secondary trauma.
  • Recognised the specific needs of diverse constituents with multiple-traumatic losses.
  • Examined both individual and systemic oppression as a cause of stress and trauma.
  • Reviewed commonly made mistakes in trauma care and learned to avoid them.
  • Become familiar with trauma indicators in congregational systems.
  • Learned how to make space for spiritual questions and ways to support "quests."
Assessment details

A 2,000-word essay, a 2-4 page assignment and a 2,500-word essay.

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